Chapter 8
Stumbling out of the room, Talwyn’s thoughts warred between subjecting herself to further judgement from the haughty nobles or escaping outside for fresh air.
She cursed the last glass of wine that sent the hall spinning.
She hoped her barbaric display had caused enough grief for Daire that he wouldn’t notice her friends within the palace.
Carrick’s disapproving sigh echoed in her mind.
No, she’d caused enough trouble tonight.
Any more opportunity and Tal might be forcibly removed.
She turned to the north side of the hallway and pushed through the glass doors out onto the now-dark balcony.
She breathed in the clean air and noticed a hint of something floral.
The stone railing felt cool against her fingertips.
A light breeze lifted the stray hairs from her neck and disturbed the feathers of her mask, tickling her flushed face.
Her sleeves slipped further down her arms, and she grunted as she shoved the fabric back.
Her dry tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
After a quick glance to ensure no one watched, she dug around in her bosom to find the metal flask that had slipped further into her corset during dinner.
After a terribly inappropriate display, she had the flask in hand and sipped the honey sweet liquid, a delicacy at the docks.
The bottles rarely appeared in taverns before and never would again now that the distilleries were destroyed.
She sighed and leaned against the railing, savoring each sip.
Out on the lawns below, the moonlight revealed a path snaking around fountains, stone statues, trees with benches beneath them, and in the distance, a large maze grown out of shrubbery.
Tal wondered what she would find within.
A small voice in her head whispered of a beautiful flower garden, and she longed to prove the voice right.
She finished the last of the mead, replaced the cover, and returned the flask to its hiding spot. She leaned over the railing, lost in thought, when her foot slipped out from under her. Both feet lifted off the ground, and she began falling over the railing.
Tal cried out. She grappled for balance when an arm reached around and pulled her back toward the balcony floor. A man in a white, navy blue, and gold suit and matching mask set her back on her feet.
“Careful there!” the silky voice warned.
His attire was simple yet elegant and held markings that indicated his high rank.
Tal lifted her chin and swayed on her feet.
He stood a head taller with dark hair that peeked out over the edges of an oversized mask, but the finer details escaped her. “Are you well?”
“Perfectly fine.” She brushed her skirts. “Just sampling the wine a bit too enthusiastically.”
The man chuckled. “It is well made.” He leaned an elbow on the stone railing. “It can be quite strong.”
“So, it would seem.” She leaned onto the rail, mirroring him, but only to hide her poor balance. She didn’t bother informing him of the mead she had just finished. “Thank you.”
“What for?”
“For catching me.”
“It is what any gentleman would do.” He smiled, not in the possessive way Daire sometimes ogled her, but genuinely. “May I ask why you aren’t enjoying the company of the other guests?”
“The only thing I would enjoy is shoving some of that minced meat pie in their faces, then finishing their plate for them.”
A surprised laugh escaped from the stranger’s lips. “I would love to see that.”
“Was that not proper? Hells, how does anyone survive these things? More food than could feed an entire village, and they choose to nibble and gossip. If we could have something like this at—” She paused, stopping herself from revealing her lack of title.
“I agree. Pretending to enjoy their company is excruciating.”
“You don’t have to agree with me. You look like you fit right in.”
“It’s an act.”
Talwyn swore she saw him wink. A voice from inside caught her attention, and she stiffened.
Through the glass, she could see Daire opening door after door, searching for her.
She peered out over the maze with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.
She wanted very much to get away. “Would it be against the rules if I explored the gardens?”
“If you’re with me, there are no rules.”
Tal narrowed her eyes with a mischievous grin. If he was taunting her, she didn’t care. Daire yelled her name again, and she wasted no time. “Right then,” she grabbed the gentleman’s hand, “come on!”
She stumbled over the steps, and she dragged him down with her. At the bottom, she kicked off her shoes and continued onto the grass. She ran until they were out of sight of the stairs. A shriek of glee escaped her, and her companion followed.
The mysterious noble laughed with her but slowed to a stop near a row of red tulips. Tal halted and turned to him. Breathlessly, she said, “Come on, I’ll bet you’ve never felt grass this soft beneath your feet.” She lifted her skirts ever so slightly and scandalously wiggled her naked toes at him.
He appeared unbothered by her behavior when he replied, “These boots are the work of a demon. Once they come off, I’ll never be able to get them back on. I’ll spare you the horror of my bare feet.”
“Spoilsport,” she teased. She walked toward the wall opposite him where sunflowers reached her height and beyond. She stood on her tiptoes to smell the flower and promptly lost her balance.
“Oof!”
A hedge eased her fall, her drunken limbs doing little to save her. She exploded into another fit of giggles despite the branches scratching the exposed parts of her face and sticking in her hair.
Strong arms pulled her out by the waist and set her down on the grass. The noble sat next to her with concern on his face. “Are you alright?” he asked.
“Never better,” she replied, unable to keep from smiling. Tal lifted her arms above her head and fell back onto the grass. She sighed then, letting the world spin around her. “You know, I thought I would hate coming to this, but right now, it’s not so bad.”
He eased himself down beside her. “I have to agree with you.”
“Do you attend these often?” she asked the stars.
“Only if I have to. I usually try to sneak away when no one is watching.” His silky voice drifted around her.
The night sky spun as she breathed in the unfamiliar smell of grass. Her companion’s quiet breaths drowned out the couples chatting on the balcony.
Fabric scraped along his arms when he propped himself to face her. “Did you fall asleep?” He chuckled.
“No.” She paused. “Simply enjoying the quiet.”
The melody from the string quartet filled the space between them. “This is quiet to you?”
She could feel him watching her. She wondered why he entertained her, but a warm wind blew, and the thought evaporated. Thanks to her numerous drinks that evening, she didn’t care much about anything. “It is,” she replied.
Daire called her name from the balcony.
She groaned. “It appears I’m missed.” She struggled to stand.
Her companion sat transfixed as if he couldn’t curb his curiosity for the guest who clearly didn’t fit in.
The man who invited her happened to be the lowest in status at the masquerade, and she didn’t deserve to be at his side, much less with the man sitting in front of her, whoever he may be.
“Thank you for… catching me.” She attempted a slight bow, which earned her another chuckle, and she realized she should have curtsied instead.
“It’s been a pleasure.” He bowed his head, and Tal tore her eyes away with difficulty.
She reached the balcony and Daire turned in her direction. “Where have you been?” he hissed. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” He reached for her elbow, but she pulled away.
“I needed fresh air.”
“You’re drunk,” he snapped.
“What else is new?” She waved him away. Daire had spent enough nights with her and her friends to know she wasn’t one to hold back on ale. Why would wine be any different? She started toward the ballroom.
The quartet picked up its tempo. Daire sighed. “The dancing is starting. At least come inside and have one dance with me.”
“You know I don’t do these silly things. I don’t want to be paraded around, and, as you clearly pointed out, I’m not at my best.” She pushed through the doors into the ballroom, and the upbeat waltz carried on the stuffy air.
Servants bustled about cleaning tables, the clinking of dishes adding to the din.
Groups of ladies stood on the edge of the dance floor eyeing groups of men opposite them.
She caught sight of Rainier, who tilted his head and scrutinized her scowl.
She shrugged, trying to convey that she was a lost cause for the night, and headed for their table.
On the ballroom floor, couples danced in perfectly choreographed synchronization.
Men dipped and lifted their partners whose dresses billowed out like puffed pastries.
She reached the table and plopped into her seat, noting the plate of cake, pastries, and a bowl of vanilla pudding at her setting. Daire sat down with finesse.
“I made sure they saved some for you.” He nodded stiffly at the desserts.
“How gentlemanly of you,” she replied. “Thank you.” However much he grated on her nerves, Daire knew how much Talwyn relished sweet treats.
She ate in silence, savoring the taste. Two songs passed before she attempted conversation.
“So, tell me.” She searched the faces at the table.
“Have any of you heard anything about mages kidnapping women in the docks?”
Daire choked on a sip of water and had to dab at his jacket with a napkin. “Talwyn.” He chuckled nervously. His eyes darted from one appalled expression to the next. “That is not the proper topic for such a setting.”